Transient Orca (Bigg's Killer Whales)
are popping up everywhere, even in English Bay. The 6 Orca in English
Bay, Vancouver on July 2nd were identified as the T49's.
All over the inside waters of the Georgia Strait, there are reports
of Transient Orca from English Bay, Sechelt, Powell River, Campbell
River and all the channels and inlets. WOW! The Humpback Whales
continue to be in the Campbell River area and the Pacific White Sided
Dolphins are in and out of the various channels. There are also a
couple of reports of the smallest cetaceans, Dall's and Harbour
Porpoises.
A reminder to all: Please do not assume
that I have already heard of a sightings report. See below – I only
heard after the fact so could not confirm who we may have had here.
It's better to receive twenty reports of the same sighting than none
at all....They are here, so keep your eyes open, and report please!
Susan MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins BC
Transient
Orca – Bigg's Killer Whales
Transient Orca – we
love those baby photos!
July 3, 2012
Nick Templeman, Eagle
Eye Adventures
July 3:
11:48 am Orca South of Whaletown,
Cortez Island headed North. T20 and T21 plus another.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
July 3:
1:20 pm Killer Whales at Carrington
Bay, Cortez Island headed for Penn Islands, Hoskyns Channel. At
1520 hrs T100's, T101's and T102 grouped up and started to
head SE up Pryce Channel for Toba Inlet. (above
from text messages - SM)
Later email see also Humpback
Report:
Hello all, Nice tour today! Just out
for a short one and we went out to a report of KW's around the Penn
Islands. We arrived on scene @ approx 1330 hrs to find the T100's and
T101/102 gangs spread out. These are part of what I am now calling
our "Usual Suspects" as they have been around our area in
part with other gangs all spring. We followed as they slowly made
their way N/E up Deer Passage and left them at the entrance to Pryce
Channel. We left the scene @ 1450 hrs.
Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures
July 3:
1:49 pm Orca frolicking just at the
foot of Nootka Street, Westview, Powell River. They've been there
for quite a while. Just wanted to make sure you knew.
John Treen, Powell River
July 3:
At 2:25 pm,Tuesday, July 3, 2012 I
spotted a small group of Orcas inside the Trail Islands
(Sechelt) traveling towards Pender Harbour. I could see only three fins to
be sure. One very large, one medium and one small. I am wondering if
this might be the group that was in English Bay? (Possibly,
unfortunately, without photos to identify them, it's difficult to say
- SM) They moved along very moderately, I was thrilled to have
seen them. I’ve been watching the water in front of our house very
intently, waiting for this. It’s always a thrill.
Judy from Sechelt
July 3:
5:45 pm 4 Orca 3 larger and one very
small out in front here. (Powell River) But you probably
already knew. They've been in front for most of the day and heard
that they were here yesterday too.
Judy Brant, Powell River
July 2:
10:17 am 2+ Orca between Harwood and
Westview ferry terminal in Powell River. They headed South.
Gladys Raven and Friends, Powell
River
Regarding July 1st Orca
Sightings:
Rundown on larger Gang of Killer
Whales yesterday off of Marina Island was the T002C's/T100's/T101's
and T102. 13 animals according to the book. Second Gang I had at top
of Whale Passage was T090/090B/090C and T086A/086A1/086A3 Cheers!
Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback
Whales
Humpback known as
'Crescent' BCX1258
July 3, 2012
Nick Templeman, Eagle
Eye Adventures
July 3:
8:30 am A Humpback is swimming North
by Brown's Bay – hard and shallow. 10:47 am Humpback is by
Chatham Point Westing – Jack with it. There's another
Humpback at the red can buoy heading to the green can buoy.
(Texts can be very abbreviated, and I believe Scotty meant the
buoys off of Cape Mudge - SM)
Scotty, Painters Lodge
July 3:
4:58 pm Sounds like 2 Humpback
Whales in Deepwater Bay, Discovery Pass. I'm on my way to find
them. Also, 4 – 5 PWS Dolphins by Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta
Rapids. There's a very small newborn calf. Believe the Humpbacks
were KC and ?Nick?. Got them by Separation Head and left them at 1800
hrs Southbound into Plumper Bay. (from text messages –
SM)
Later Email see also Orca Report:
On our way home we found these two
Humpbacks in Deepwater Bay on the Quadra Island shoreline of
Discovery Passage. On scene @1740 and away @ 1810hrs. They slowly
worked their way around Separation Head light and into Plumper Bay. I
recognize the one as "KC" if i am not mistaken but don't
recognize the other. I'm sure you can clear that up for us Jackie!
Cheers! (Jackie Hildering confirmed 'Crescent' BCX1258)
Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures
July 2:
10 am A Humpback Whale just breached
off the Cape Mudge Lighthouse! After a few tail slaps, it headed
North into Discovery Pass. 10:51 It's now at the Discovery
Pier. There's 2 groups of Harbour Porpoise too. 11:19 am There's
now 2 Humpbacks together and they just changed direction to
head South, for now. They're near Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island.
They stayed in that same area – feeding maybe. 1 pm They're still
here, between Quathiaski Cove and the Village no direction. Saw one
more tail slap, but no more breaches. 1:39 pm They're quickly heading
South now towards the Cape Mudge Lighthouse. 2:32 pm Humpbacks
changed direction again at Cape Mudge and are now heading back North.
I'm now watching from home rather than car. It was awesome! I'm so
happy to have spent all this time with them :) That
breach seen from our condo was so neat... too far away to see the
whale (naked eye), but the splash was impressive!!!
Tara Bladon, Campbell River
July 2:
1:40 pm Humpback off Cape Mudge
lighthouse. Then late in the afternoon, on the return to harbour
from our tour, we found the Humpback again just off Grouse Island,
between the Cape Mudge Village and Quathiaski Cove. Only found
one of the two, Northbound.
Garry, Aboriginal Journeys
Pacific
White Sided Dolphins
July 3:
4:58 pm Sounds like 2
Humpback Whales in Deepwater Bay. I'm on my way to find them.
Also, 4 – 5 PWS Dolphins by Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.
There's a very small newborn calf.
Nick Templeman, Eagle Eye Adventures
July 2:
9:57 am 20 PWS Dolphins Eastbound by
Bute Inlet.
Scotty, Painter's Lodge
July 2:
11:12 am PWS Dolphins no numbers by
Eagles Cove heading North.
Aaron, Campbell River Whale Watching
July 2:
2:45 pm About 100 + PWS Dolphins
Southbound by Deepwater Bay, Discovery Pass. On the return trip,
found them again and left them at 4:30 pm at Seymour Narrows.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
July 2:
5:28 pm PWS Dolphins about 100 of
them all spread out between Brown's Bay and Separation Head,
Discovery Pass. They're just milling about. Also, at 6:55 pm found
some more PWS Dolphins by Granite Point heading North.
Scotty, Painter's Lodge
Dall's
and Harbour Porpoise
Dall's Porpoise
2012
Nick Templeman, Eagle
Eye Adventures
July 2:
8:15 am 6 Dall's Porpoise in front
of Campbell River Harbour.
Scotty, Painter's Lodge
July 2:
10:51 am (from Humpback Report) There's
2 groups of Harbour Porpoise too.
(off Discovery Pier, Campbell River)
Tara Bladon, Campbell River